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Michigan has a growing trucking industry, no matter the area you live in.
If you want to become a truck driver in this state, there are some requirements to keep in mind.
Read on for more info in order to start your new career.
Article Table of Contents
Training in Michigan
Michigan has 43 training schools in the field, which means you have plenty of options for training.
Before picking the school you want, make sure to consider the tuition costs as well as the time you can put into getting trained.
Diesel technology programs are usually more lengthy and can last up to 2 years.
However, a truck driving program can be completed in one or 2 months.
Some schools offer to cover tuition costs by offering scholarships.
One of these is the U.S. Truck Driver Training School, an institution that covers all education fees.
Another choice is The Drive the Guard, where you can become a member of the National Guard and have your tuition paid for.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| All Stars Truck Driving School, Inc. | 151 Military St, Detroit, MI 48209, USA |
| All Stars Truck Driving School, Inc. | 2830 East Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, MI 48187 |
| ABC Training and Testing | 7203 Sears Rd., Horton, MI 49246 |
| Advanced Compliance Solutions | 1621 Terminal Dr., Saginaw, MI 48601 |
| Advanced Tech Courses | 6100 US Hwy 31, Grawn, MI 49637 |
| American Pride Truck Driving School | 3435 East Michigan Ave., Jackson, MI 49202 |
| American Workplace Trucking Centers | 1000 N Opdyke Rd Ste D2, Auburn Hills, MI 48326 |
| Baker College | 1050 W. Bristol Road, Flint, MI 48507 |
| Baker College | 9600 E 13th St., Cadillac, MI 49601 |
| Bert's Testing & Training Services Inc | 14320 Joy Rd., Detroit, MI 48228 |
| Commercial Driver License Training School LLC | 13800 Tyler Avenue, Detroit, MI 48227, USA |
| C.D.L. Training Services & Consulting Inc | 221 S Quarterline Rd., Muskegon, MI 49442 |
| CDI Truck Driving School | 6191 Sherman, Saginaw, MI 48604 |
| CDL Training Service & Consulting - Muskegon Community College | 221 S. Quarterline Rd., Muskegon, MI 49442 |
| Classic Driving School | 64261 Van Dyke, Washington, MI 48095 |
| Coast2coast Truck Driving School | 6280 King Rd., Marine City, MI 48039 |
| Coast2coast Truck Driving School | 44440 Phoenix Dr., Sterling Heights, MI 48314 |
| A&B CDL Inc | 3417 Roger B Chaffee Memorial Dr SE Suite 309, Wyoming, MI 49548 |
| Dynamic Truck Driving School, Inc. | 24121 Mound Road, Warren, MI 48091 |
| E L Hollingsworth & Co | 3039 Airpark Drive North, Flint, MI 48507 |
| Fleet Compliance Group Ltd | 2976 Ivanrest SW Ste 255, Grandville, MI 49418 |
| Great American Truck Driving School | 3411 W Fort Street, Detroit, MI 48216 |
| Integrity Truck Driving School | 12256 Hubbard, Livonia, MI 48150 |
| Integrity Truck Driving School | 1155 Centre Rd., Auburn Hills, MI 48326 |
| International Trucking School | 27800 Wick Rd., Romulus, MI 48174 |
| International Trucking School | 27800 Wick Rd, Romulus, MI 48174, USA |
| International Trucking School Inc - Macomb County Community College | 14500 E 12 Mile Rd., Warren, MI 48088 |
| International Trucking School Inc - Monroe County Community College | 1555 South Raisinville Road, Monroe, MI 48161 |
| International Trucking School Inc | 5820 N Canton Trail Rd Ste 150 , Canton, MI 48187 |
| International Trucking School Inc | 2200 S. Washington Avenue, Lansing, MI 48910 |
| International Trucking School Inc | 2946 Business One Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49048 |
| Lancing Community College | 2417 25th Street, Augusta, MI 49012 |
| Liberty Truck Driving School | 1680 W M-61, Gladwin, MI 48624 |
| Macomb County CDL Training | 41411 Romeo Plank, Clinton Township, MI 48038 |
| Mid Michigan Community College | 1375 S. Clare Ave., Harrison, MI 48625 |
| Midwest Truck Driving School | 1519 N 26th St., Escanaba, MI 49829 |
| North Oakland CDL Inc | 2651 Metamora Rd., Oxford, MI 48371 |
| Nu-Way Truck Driver Training Centers | 11940 Merriman Ave., Livonia, MI 48150 |
| Nu-Way Truck Driver Training Centers | 25 S Glenwood Ave., Pontiac, MI 48342 |
| Ozoor Driving School | 6830 Wyoming St., Dearborn, MI 48126 |
| Pinnacle Truck Driver Training | 1625 Leeson Ave., Cadillac, MI 49601 |
| Port Huron Express Truck Driver Learning Center | 4743 Gratiot Rd., St Clair, MI 48079 |
| Professional Drivers Institute | 10747 US Hwy 12, New Buffalo, MI 49117 |
| Rivertown CDL Academy | 1025 Ken-O-Sha Ind Pk Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508 |
| Samba Express Driver Training and Testing Division | 32097 Hollingsworth Ave., Warren, MI 48092 |
| Semi Academy | 822 South Highway M-40, Lawton, MI 49065 |
| Star Professional Driving School | 3940 Eastern Avenue S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49508 |
| Star Professional Driving School | 3717 King Hwy., Kalamazoo, MI 49048 |
| Star Professional Driving School | 3020 S Creyts Rd., Lansing, MI 48917 |
| Star Professional Driving School | 1945 S Dort Hwy, Flint, MI 48503, USA |
| Star Professional Driving School | 265 Hanthorn Street, Cadillac, MI 49601, USA |
| Star Professional Driving School | 1645 S Airport Rd., Traverse, MI 49686 |
| Star Professional Driving School | 2580 Black Creek Rd., Muskegon, MI 49444 |
| Suburban Truck Driver Training School | 28675 Northline Rd., Romulus, MI 48174 |
| Super Service Truck Driver Training | 6000 Clay Ave., Grand Rapids, MI 49548 |
| Thumb Area Driving Academy | 75 Dawson St., Sandusky, MI 48471 |
| Trainco Inc Truck Driving Schools | 22299 Eureka Rd., Taylor, MI 48180 |
| Trainco Inc Truck Driving Schools | 1122 W Holmes Rd., Lansing, MI 48910 |
| Trainco Inc Truck Driving Schools - Washtenaw Community College | 4800 E. Huron River Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48105 |
| Tri Area Driving School | 6272 Midland Rd., Freeland, MI 48623 |
| Tri Area Driving School | 922 N M37 Hwy., Hastings, MI 49058 |
| US Truck Driver Training School, Inc | 4195 Central St., Detriot, MI 48210 |
| US Truck Driver Training School, Inc | 6500 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48312 |
| West Michigan CDL Inc | 3370 Busch Drive, Grandville, MI 49418 |
Choosing a school in Michigan
In Michigan, many schools offer programs for the Class A certification.
These programs can be completed in 2 months.
If you enroll in a diesel technology course and are not looking for specialization, you can finish it in a year or less.
However, a degree will generally last up to 2 years.
One of the schools that provides shorter programs is Kirtland Community College, with a course lasting only 2 semesters.
Another school worth checking is U.S. Truck Driver Training School, that has several locations in the state.
The institution allows you to get your driver’s license by offering driving courses prior to your physical exam.
Trucking Industry Wages
How much money you earn will depend on your level of experience and specialization.
On average, a truck driver makes $44,261 per year, while the best-paid can expect to earn around $51,295 per year.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Detroit | $45,313 |
| Grand Rapids | $43,151 |
| Warren | $45,313 |
| Sterling Heights | $45,172 |
| Ann Arbor | $45,954 |
| Lansing | $43,301 |
| Flint | $41,026 |
| Dearborn | $45,313 |
| Livonia | $45,172 |
| Troy | $45,148 |
Regional Salary in Michigan
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | 1,270 | $54,670 | $26.28 | $68,160 | $37,280 |
| Battle Creek, MI | 650 | $55,480 | $26.67 | $67,220 | $38,440 |
| Bay City, MI | 450 | $54,790 | $26.34 | $65,890 | $36,590 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 26,060 | $54,330 | $26.12 | $70,500 | $36,250 |
| Flint, MI | 1,330 | $48,940 | $23.53 | $62,270 | $35,220 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI | 9,380 | $52,240 | $25.11 | $64,200 | $37,490 |
| Jackson, MI | 720 | $52,220 | $25.11 | $65,320 | $36,460 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | 1,730 | $51,910 | $24.96 | $68,350 | $36,570 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | 2,190 | $52,790 | $25.38 | $69,550 | $37,350 |
| Midland, MI | 400 | $52,570 | $25.27 | $62,330 | $37,580 |
| Monroe, MI | 800 | $51,970 | $24.98 | $63,300 | $36,340 |
| Muskegon, MI | 640 | $51,390 | $24.71 | $71,580 | $36,620 |
| Niles-Benton Harbor, MI | 390 | $51,620 | $24.82 | $63,200 | $36,870 |
| Saginaw, MI | 1,040 | $50,200 | $24.14 | $65,000 | $35,930 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
After getting your license, you can look for a company to get hired.
Remember some schools provide job placement options, which are a good option for students who want to work right away.
You can also get hired by a trucking company, leasing center, and repair shop.
C.R. England, Stevens Transport, Premier Transportation, and TMC Transportation are the most well-known trucking companies in the state.
The job outlook in the industry is positive.
O*Net reports an 11% growth for truck drivers between the 2012 and 2022 period.
According to the same source, diesel technology jobs will also see a growth of 7%.
Conclusion
Michigan is a wide state with many career opportunities for truck drivers.
Getting a license is also not demanding, and all you have to do is attend the right program.
Hopefully, the info we brought will help you choose a school and start your career.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Truck Driver
CDL Schools by State